Siphon breaker



E. c. WILSON 2,153,904'

SIPHON BREAKER April M., 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 9, 1935 Eff-0772? April 11, 1939. E. c. wlLsoN 2,353,904

SIPHON BREKER Filed Oct. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mtg. 2

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, .fafa/wey Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFF i @E SIPHON BREAKE-R Calif.

Application October 9, 1935, Serial'\No. 44,176

Claims'.

The present invention relates generally to devices Afor preventing back siphonage of water into water supply lines. The invention is applicable to watersupply vline outlets generally, though .Fit is of particularradvantage and importance in connectionwith ilush valves, and will accordingly be herein specifically described and illustrated in that typical service, butswithout necessary limitation thereto.

-It isV known that under certainconditions, water may be sucked backwardly through a water outlet into the water supply line. This is generally due to exhaustion of water in the mains, or reduction of pressure in the mains or in the line that supplies the outlet. Assuming the outlet to loe-connected to a flush valve installed .in connection with a toilet bowl, the valve normally being held closed by the pressure in the water line, it will be seen that reduction of pressure in the mains may cause an actual suction in the Waterv supply line, and this may cause the ush valve to open, allowing thesuction to continue on down intol the toilet bowl,.and insome instances may lift the water out of the bowl into thenwater line. It will further be evident that a similarV occurrence is possible invvarioussituations not involving iiush valves; for example, it is -possiblei for back siphonage -to occur in any situation in which the water outlet has access to the waterv which it has discharged, as in the instance of a swimming pool supplied by way of outletslocated beneath the water level.

'It is a primary object of the present invention to provide simple and effective means for positively preventing such back siphonage lof water into they supply line.

lTaking' the flush valve situation for illustration, thedevce of the present invention involves a tubular body formed with a liquid passage and placed between the ush valve and the toilet xture. An air admission passageway opens within this body, and a check valve is provided which is adapted to move onto a lower seat to cover this` passageway during iiushing discharge. Upon development of suction in .the linel and valve, air is admitted through thisair passageway, thereby breaking the siphon action and so preventing llifting of water from the bowl, and the checkvalve lifts onto an upper seat to establish a barrier between the toilet fixture-and the flush valve wateriline. f In aprefer-red construction, this check valve is normally supported by a spring in a position near theA described upper seat. Once` the valve is tightly onto its upper seat, admission of air is of course interrupted, but

seating of.A the check valve then prevents lifting of lwater or gases past that point. If, however, the check valve does not tightly lit vits upper seat, due for instance to wear, then air which is sucked inv through. the admission passage escapes 11pwardly past the checkfvalve, but in so doing breaks the suction or siphon action, and prevents lifting ofzwater from the toilet bowl. When the suction in the line ceases, the check valve is supported by the aforementioned spring, the arrangement being such that the check valve is moved onto its lower seat to close the air inlet immediately upon flushing discharge. The advantage Vof this spring is that the device is made sensitive to lighter suction in the line.

The invention will be better understood from the `following detailed description of a present preferredembodiment thereof applied to a typical flush valve, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical medial section of the device of the present invention installed in connection with a typical and preferred ush valve, the flush valve and Siphon breaking device being shown in normal closed position;

Fig. 2 isa view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing `the vflush valve .and Siphon breaking de- 'ce in operatingv positionV upon development of suction Ain the water line;

`Fig.3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig.4 4 isa vsection taken on lin-e 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

. Fig. 6 is a View similar toy a portion of Fig. 1, but showing a modification.

-Whi1e I' here describe and illustrate a typical andpreferred flush valve in connection with the device of the present invention, it is to be understood. that such typilcation constitutes no implied `limitation on the use of the present invention, which is applicable to flush valvesgenerally, as well as toother water outlets. However, for the purpose of completely explaining the device of the present invention, especially in its association with ush Valves, I describe in some detail a preferred flush valve. It may here be stated that the illustrated flush valve per se is the subject matter of my copending application entitled Flushometer, filed August 5, 1933, Ser. No. 683,807, now Patent No. 2,066,086, of Dec. 29, 1936.

The illustrative. flush valve will rst be described. .Numeral I0 designates a tubular flush valve body member, to the bore H of which opens laterally extending inlet I2 arranged for threaded attachment at I3 to a supply line (not shown).

The downwardly opening outlet of the valve is indicated at I4, and is exteriorly threaded at I5 for connection with the fixture below. The upper end of body ID is closed by a cap I6.

Formed within body I8, concentrically with reference to its bore II, is an upstanding annular flange or discharge pipe I1 which is spaced annularly from the outer wall of the body memberr The upper end I9 of this flange provides a sealing face, as will later be explained. It may here be mentioned that the main fluid passage through the valve extends from inlet I2 over the upper end of ilange I1 and through its bore 20 to outlet I4.

A valve assembly V is movable vertically through bore I I of the body member to and from a position of sealing engagement against flange end I9. This assembly V includes a body portion 2| of cup-shaped configuration, to the lower end of which is screwthreaded a depending sleeve 23 of the main valve, said sleeve having sliding fit over flange I1, leaving the bore of said flange unobstructed. The lower end of body portion 2| carries a seating ring 25, of rubber or the like, which is adapted to engage flange end I9 in fluidtight relation when the main valve is closed, as in Fig. 1.

vertically extending liquid passageways or channels 28 are sunk in the inner face of sleeve 23.

Screwed to the upper end of valve body portion 2| is a valve head 3| cup leathers 33 and 34 being clamped between body portion 2| and head 3 I. The cylinder chamber above the piston, which is generally designated at 36, is indicated at B, while the cylinder chamber below piston 36 is indicated at A. Valve body portion 2| and head 3| dene a piston chamber I-I. An orifice 31 in body portion 2| maintains compartment H in constant communication with the liquid inlet. A liquid passageway 38, 39 extends through head 3| from chamber H.

The bottom wall 41 of body portion 2| has a' central opening 48 which is normally adapted to be closed by the relief tilt-valve generally indicated at 49. This valve embodies a circular head 59 normally adapted to seat in fluid-tight engagement on seat-ring 52, of rubber or the like, which ring is mounted on wall 41 concentrically with respect to opening 48. Head 50 has a conical extension 54 which takes and centers the lower end of compression spring 55, the upper end of which bears against head 3|. This spring has a constant tendency to urge valve 49 to closed position.

Depending from head 50 is a stem 51 which extends with annular clearance through orifice 48, and thence on downwardly through bore 28 of flange I1. The lower end of the stem tapers downwardly at 58 and terminates in a tip 59 of materially reduced diameter. A spring retainer clip 60 is utilized in connection with stem 51. This clip comprises an arcuate body portion 6| (see Figs. 1 and 5) which is sprung into the groove 62 cut in body member I8 at a point below the base of discharge flange |1. The two arms or ends of the retaining member are struck back convergently at 64 and 65 forming a convergent guide-passageway to restricted throat 66, smaller than the major outside diameter of stem 51, the retainer being positioned so stem 51 lines opposite throat 68. The tips 61 and 68 of the retainer are struck reversely to form a diverging guide channel 13, for a purpose to be explained later.

The tilt valve actuator is generally designated at 14, and includes a plunger 15 having sliding fit through bore 16 which is located to bring the end of the plunger directly in line with stem 51. The outer end of rod 15 carries a head 11 which is confined for horizontal sliding movement through the bore of bonnet nut 18 threaded to body member I0, as shown. The end of nut 18 is turned over at 18a to confine the flange 8D of actuating handle 8|. A compression spring 84 encircles rod 15 and bears at its opposite ends against head 11 and packing follower 83. In the full line position of Fig. 1, handle 8I is in at rest position. To operate the valve, handle 8| is rocked in any direction (such as downwardly to the dotted line position of Fig. 1) which results in rod 15 being thrust to the left, engaging valve stem 51 and swinging the tilt-valve to open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In describing the operation of the flush valve, it will ilrst be assumed that it is in the full line position of Fig. 1, fluid under supply pressure standing in chambers A, B, and H, the fluid in chamber B having been admitted through orifice 31, chamber H and passageway 38, 39. Since the upwardly exposed effective pressure area of the piston is greater than the downwardly exposed effective pressure area, the assembly V is held down in the position of Fig. l, thus effecting a barrier between inlet I2 and outlet I4. When handle 8| is rocked, thrust rod 15 is moved inwardly, its end engaging stem 51 and thus tilting valve 49 to the dotted line position of Fig. 1. This movement of stem 51 spreads retainer arms 64 and 65 to pass the stem through throat 13 into the dotted line position of Fig. 5, the retainer arms then springing back to hold said stem releasably in its position of angularity, and thus releasably maintaining the valve in tilted or open position. The tilt valve is thus retained in open or tilted position, though handle 8| may be immediately released and allowed to return to its normal at rest position.

With valve 48 thus open, the pressure in chamber B is relieved, the fluid therefrom passing downwardly through passageway 39, 38, chamber H, orice 48, bore 2U, and thence outwardly through discharge opening I4. As the pressure' in chamber B is thus relieved, the consequent predominant pressure in chamber A moves valve assembly V upwardly from the position of Fig. 1. In moving upwardly from the position of Fig. l, valve assembly V is unseated from the upper end I9 of flange I1, whereupon fluid is free to flow from inlet I2 under the lower end of sleeve 23, thence upwardly through passageways 28, and then over end I9 of flange I1, and downwardly through bore 20 through discharge outlet I4, this constituting the main fluid passage through the valve.

Tilt valve 49 in open position, is carried upwardly with the verticaly rising valve assembly V in its upward movement from the closed position of Fig. 1, stem 51 being drawn upwardly through but not laterally freed from retainer 60. The effective length of stem 51 is such that as the valve assembly reaches a predetermined position the major diameter portion of said stem is lifted clear oi arms 64 and 85, whereupon stem 51 is free to swing back toI normal position, elo.,- ing release valve 49.

With the return of valve 49 to closed position, flow through orifice 48 is interrupted, and supply line pressure admitted to chamber H through orice 31 restores the pressure in chamber B through passageway 38, 39. Due to the greater tube 98.

effective area exposed to the pressure in chamberv B, valve assembly V is thereupon moved downwardly to closing position (Fig. 1).

The siphon breaker comprises a hollow tubular body 9i! provided at its upper end with an internally threaded inlet portion 9| adapted to be screwthreaded to flush valve outlet Ill. The lower end of body 99 is provided with a downwardly opening outletportion 92, which is externally threaded at 93 for threaded connection with a collar 94 which tightens a packing 95 on the ushing line 96 received within outlet 92, and which leads'to the toilet fixture, not shown.

Cast integrally with body 99 is a horizontal transverse air passage tube 98, the two ends of which open through the side walls of body 99, and are covered over or protected by depending lips 99, which form downwardly opening air' inlet ports lull communicating with the open ends of A vertical tube |92 is cast integrally with the top side of horizontal tube 98, and extends upwardly concentrically with reference to tubular body 99. The upper end E93 of this tube |92 terminates somewhat short of the base of the screwthreaded inlet portion QI of the body, as shown.

A check valve, generally designated at i535, is mounted on the upper end |03 of vertical tube H32 (Fig. l), and is adapted to lift from such position under certain conditions, as will later be explained. This check valve I, which is formed of Bakelite or any other material found suitable, comprises a head I9?, the under side of which is formed with a flat surface Ill adapted to seat in fluid tight engagement on the upper end I 9s of tube |92. Head Ill@ is formed with a depending collar or annular flange I Il) annularly spaced from tube I02. The bore of this collar is formed with vertical ribs l EI which slidably iit tube I2, and provide vertical air passages H2 leading from the upper end of tube Id?. (when valve |96 is lifted) downwardly through collar I I and into the hollow body Sil.

Valve head Ill'l is formed with an outwardly extending annular ange H5, which presents an upwardly facing annular seating surface H5 adapted to seat on the downwardly facing annular seating surface il? of a seat ring H3 screwthreaded within inlet 9|. Check valve IBS is shown so seated against ring H8 in Fig. 2.

Seat ring I I9 is positioned by engagement with an inwardly extending annular flange I2!) formed in body 9i! at the base of threaded inlet 9 I. Preferably, a sealing washer I2I, of rubber or similar material, is placed on the upper side of seat ring I I8 and is engaged and compressed by the lower end of iiush valve outlet Ill', when the flush valve and siphon-breaker are connected.

The normal at rest condition of the flush valve and siphon breaker is as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The valve assembly of the ush valve is held closed by line pressure, in the manner previously explained, and check valve IBB rests downwardly on the upper end of tube M32 by the force of gravity. Valve H36 being thus seated on tube |03, the air passageway consisting of ports |00, horizontal tube 98 and vertical tube I02 is sealed ofi, and escape of water therethrough is prevented during normal downward discharge of water from the iiush valve.

Now, in the event of suction in the water supply line connected to flush valve inlet I2, the downward pressure of the water on piston assembly V may become reduced to the point that atmospheric pressure below will cause said assembly to rise, as to the open position shown in Fig. 2, thus opening the main iiuid passageway, designated by arrows M, and consisting of bo-re 29 of flange I7, grooves 28 in depending flange 23, and inlet l2, thus allowing the suction to extend down to and within the hollow body of the Siphon breaker. This suction causes air to be drawn inwardly through ports Illi, tubes 98 and |02, and grooves IIZ, as indicated in Fig. 2 by arrows S, check valve IQi being caused to lift and to seat upwardly against seat ring H8, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The air so sucked within body 9i! supplies the suction from above and so breaks the siphon action, preventing the lift of water from the bowl. Engagement of check valve It with seat ring H9 then establishes a positive barrier in the line, effectually preventing any possible rise of water or gases past said point. If, however, the cooperating seating faces of check valve IQS and seat ring H8 should become worn or marred so as to prevent a water-tight fit, thereby holding the check valve slightly open, the air which is being sucked inwardly through ports l0@ and tubes 98 and 92 will escape upwardly past the check valve, but in so doing It will be evident that the check valve of the device has a triple function, i. e., first, as a positive check valve which is closed by the force of the air sucked inwardly through the air admission passageway, second, `as a siphon breaker by virtue of its action in admitting air into the line, and third, as a valve for closing the air admission passageway during flushing discharge.

The device is simple in construction, involving but one moving part. It is trustworthy in operation, and even after long service, with consequent wear, effectively safeguards against the possibility of back-siphonage of water into the supply line.

Fig. 6 shows a modification, in which a comparatively light spring i353 is placed around check valve collar HD, and vertical tube 502, seating downwardly against horizontal tube 98, and serv ing to hold the check valve normally nearly closed on its seat Hl'. The spring is sufficiently flexible that discharge of water from the valve, when it is flushing, compresses the spring instantly to the point where the underface |98 of the check valve seats on the upper end |03 of vertical air passage tube H32, thereby assuring against discharge of water outwardly through the air ports. Employment of this spring is of advantage, in that lighter suction in the line will lift the check valve to closed position. This spring is useful in some installations, in situations wherein the slightest line suction is to be guarded against.

As previously stated, the siphon breaker of the present invention is not limited in applicability to its combination with a flush valve, but may be installed in connection with any water outlet where there is danger of water being sucked backwardly due to reduction of pressure in the mains. In any such instance the siphon breaker is simply installed in the water line ahead oi the final water outlet, as will be obvious.

While I have now described certain specific means illustrative of the invention, it is to be understood that various changes in design and structure may be made in the illustrative embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a body having an inlet at its upper end, an outlet at its lower end, and a vertical fluid passageway from inlet to outlet, an air inlet passageway in the body terminating in an orifice opening upwardly within the fluid passageway, an upwardly facing valve seat around said orifice, a check valve disk within the fluid passage adapted to seat downwardly on said valve seat, a downwardly facing valve seat within the body disposed around the fluid passageway, said valve disk being adapted to be moved upwardly from its upwardly facing seat to seat against said downwardly facing seat, and a spring yieldingly supporting said check valve disk normally in a position near said downwardly facing seat, said valve disl; being movable onto said second seat by virtue of suction applied to the inlet and consequent admission of air through the air inlet passageway, and being held in its iirst mentioned position by flow of water through the iluid passageway from inlet to outlet.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a body having an inlet at its upper end, an outlet at its lower end, and a vertical iiuid passageway from inlet to outlet, means forming an air inlet passageway in the body, said means terminating within the fluid passageway in a vertical tube having an upwardly facing outlet orifice, a check valve disk within the fluid passage adapted to seat downwardly on the upper end of said tube, a downwardly facing valve seat within the body disposed around the fluid passageway, said valve disk being adapted to be moved from the upper end of said vertical tube to seat against said downwardly facing seat by virtue of suction applied to the inlet and admission of air through said air inlet passageway, and a spring yieldingly supporting said check valve disk normally in a position near said downwardly facing seat.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a body having an inlet at its upper end, an outlet at its lower end, and a vertical fluid passageway from inlet to outlet, means forming an air inlet passageway in the body, said means terminating within the passageway in a vertical tube having an upwardly facing outlet orifice, a check valve within the fluid passageway comprising a disk adapted to seat downwardly on the upper end of said tube, a depending collar on said valve disk spaced from said vertical tube, a downwardly facing valve seat within the body disposed around the fluid passageway, said valve disk being movable from the upper end of said vertical seat against said downwardly facing seat, and a spring yieldingly supporting said check valve disk normally in a position near said downwardly facing seat.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a body having an inlet at its upper end, an outlet at its lower end, and a vertical iiuid passageway from inlet to outlet, means forming an air inlet passageway in the body, said means terminating within the fluid passageway in a vertical tube having an upwardly facing outlet orifice, a check valve within the fluid passageway comprising a disk adapted to seat downwardly on the upper end of said tube, a depending collar on said valve disk annularly spaced from said vertical tube, vertical ribs within said collar having a loose sliding fit on said vertical tube, a downwardly facing valve seat within the body disposed around the fluid passageway, said valve disk being movable from the upper end of said vertical tube to seat against said downwardly facing seat, and a spring yieldingly supporting said check valve disk normally in a position near said downwardly facing seat.

5. In combination, a liquid supply line, a liquid discharge line, and a siphon breaker between said supply line and discharge line comprising a tubularbody forming a liquid passageway and having an air inlet passageway terminating in an orifice opening within said liquid passageway, a valve seat around said orifice, a check valve member in the liquid passageway movable onto said seat, and a valve seat in the body around the liquid passageway located between said first mentioned seat and the uid inlet and providing a second seat for the check valve member, a spring yieldingly supporting said check valve member normally in a position near said second mentioned seat, said check valve member being moved onto the first mentioned seat against said spring by flow of water through the tubular body from the supply line, and being adapted to be moved onto said second mentioned seat by virtue of development of suction in the line and consequent admission of air through the air inlet passageway, so as to close the tubular body and so prevent back flow of liquid into the line.

ELIHU C. WILSON. 

